How to Get More Power and Speed Out of a Lawnmower Engine

In order to get more power and speed out of your lawnmower, you must adjust the governor. Regardless of the engine brand, mechanical governors all work the same way. A minute adjustment can make a huge difference in the power that your lawnmower engine delivers. Adjusting the governor only takes a couple of minutes, but you must make these adjustments carefully. If you go too far when making the adjustment, it can result in blowing the engine, with the engine casing literally flying apart.

Things You'll Need

• Socket set
• Needle-nose pliers

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Remove the air cleaner from the engine by loosening its nut with a socket and ratchet. The air cleaner is the black box on top of the engine.

   • 2

     Locate the governor near the carburetor. This will be a vertical arm with two springs on it.

   • 3

     Adjust the governor by bending it to the left or the right with a pair of needle-nose pliers. Do this carefully since the smallest movement can increase the speed significantly, so in this case about 1 millimeter will be sufficient to start with. To the left will speed the engine up, and the right will slow it down.